Coeliac Disease (CD) is a chronic life-long inflammatory disease of the small bowel intestinal lining and may even affect as much as 1% of the UK child population according to the British Medical Journal. It is triggered by a delayed allergic reaction to a protein called gluten in the normal diet. Gluten is a protein found mainly in Wheat and to a lesser extent in Rye and Barley. Hence the alternative name for the condition of Gluten-sensitive Enteropathy. People with stable Coeliac Disease will tolerate Oats in the diet.

Coeliac Disease (CD) is an inherited disease of the intestinal immune system and affects both men and women. It is highly prevalent in the United Kingdom, affecting 1 in 300 or more people but can be quite difficult to reliably detect. Most CD is finally diagnosed in adulthood usually in the 30-45 year age group. As a result, many cases go undiscovered and are often falsely diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In fact only about one third of cases are ever diagnosed as CD and appropriately treated with a gluten-free diet. Untreated CD is associated with long-term health risks such as osteoporosis, anaemia and gastrointestinal malignancy.